“Finding out Corvis is my mate—that was exciting. Figuring out Hemlocke is my mate was exciting. Possibly drawing an ancient as old as my dad, who may or may not be my mate? Not so much.” I shrug my shoulders as all our nest fathers arrive, their footsteps creating a symphony of different gaits across the gravel path.
“All the parents will be present for both of you going into Malivore,” Callan says, wiggling the brow over his empty eye socket in a gesture that never fails to make me chuckle despite the circumstances.
“Who’s riding with whom?” I know both ancient fathers can easily carry everyone without strain—their dragon forms are massive enough to transport small armies.
My father steps forward, his presence commanding even in human form. “I will carry my progeny and descendants, as well as Corvis.” He’s keeping the black dragons together, which makes tactical sense.
“I will carry everyone else then,” Klauth says with a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. He prefers to carry Mom no matter what’s happening—a romantic gesture that’s become their tradition.
We break off into our groups, and Lily immediately snuggles next to me, seeking the comfort of familiar contact. Out of all my siblings, Lily, and Orpheus are the ones I’m closest with—bonds forged in the chaotic early years of our childhood. My eyes catch the rest of my siblings standing in the gardens, and I wave at them, noting their worried expressions. This feels more like a death sentence than going to look at eggs that are older than we are.
“I figured you two would like to be close together during this,” my father says as he moves to position himself on Lily’s left side so I can hear him clearly with my good ear.
I glance down and realize Lily and I are holding hands like we always do when we’re nervous, our fingers automatically intertwining in a gesture as natural as breathing. “How come Lily doesn’t get sick when she touches me? You said that once I’m bonded, anyone who touches me outside of the bond will become ill.”
I look at my dad, and he shakes his head with a gentle expression. “Family is never affected by the bonds. Hell, you and your sisters may be able to have your clutches in the same nest for safety if you wanted.” He tilts his head thoughtfully, then his expression grows more serious. “Your respective mates wouldn’t be safe entering the nesting area, though.”
When we reach the launching field, Dad shifts with fluid grace. His transformation fills the air with the scent of ancient stone and power, and he lays down to allow us to climb aboard his massive form. Corvis sits close enough that I can feel his body heat, while my sister and I hold on to each other for comfort andsupport.
Dad launches into the air with powerful beats of his enormous wings, the wind whipping through our hair and clothes. He circles overhead, waiting for Klauth and the rest of the parents to join us. When Klauth’s equally impressive form takes flight, we turn and fly toward Malivore, the ancient fortress growing larger against the horizon.
As we soar through the clear morning air, Lily and I tell Corvis the stories Mom shared with us about her time in her nest at Malivore. Dad rumbles his approval, the sound vibrating through his massive frame, and tells us he’ll give either of us their old nest if needed. It has plenty of room and occupies a private wing—perfect for the safety and seclusion young females require.
“Do either of you think you’ll get an egg?” Abraxis asks, looking at Corvis with the expression of someone trying to gauge the odds of the pending catastrophe.
Lily and I stare at each other for a moment, then simultaneously turn to face Abraxis and point at each other. The gesture is so perfectly synchronized that he laughs despite the tension, shaking his head with fond exasperation.
“They’ve been like this since Raven hatched. At least when Raven wasn’t being a freckle on her father’s hip,” he says with paternal amusement.
Smirking, I look at Abraxis with mock indignation. “Are you forgetting how often you stole Lily for flights? When in reality, you were taking her out to have one-on-one time with your daughter. I’m not the only daddy’s girl in the nest.” I wrap an arm and wing around my sister and purr softly, the sound rumbling from deep in my chest.
“You two are the closest—even I know that,” Corvis says with a laugh that carries genuine affection.
“It’s a black dragon thing,” Abraxis says as if it’s common knowledge among our kind. Dad rumbles his agreement, the sound carrying memories of our childhood. No matter how much he and Mom triedto get us to play with the other hatchlings, we always found our way back to each other.
Dad rumbles again, this time to announce that Malivore is in sight. The ancient fortress rises from the landscape like a dark tooth, all black stone and forbidding towers. He circles overhead, and without warning, I grab Corvis and leap off Dad’s back.
I spread my wings wide, holding onto my mate tightly as we glide toward the imposing gates of Malivore. The wind rushes past us, and I can feel Corvis’s trust in my ability to keep us both safe. Abraxis and Lily land next with more conventional grace, followed by my birth father touching down with earth-shaking force.
Dad leans over and kisses my forehead, his lips warm against my skin, then walks ahead of us through the massive gates. I hear the moment Klauth touches down behind us, followed by the hurried footsteps of the others catching up.
I follow behind my father with my mate and sister flanking me, our footsteps echoing off the ancient stones. The interior of Malivore looks like something torn from a horror novel—all shadows and threatening architecture. There’s a dampness to the air that seeps into your bones, and the whole place feels like a tomb where something terrible sleeps.
Dad pushes open a heavy door that groans on ancient hinges, revealing a hallway lined with flickering torches. The dancing flames cast shifting shadows on the walls, adding to the foreboding atmosphere of the place.
“It’s spooky,” Lily says with a slight shiver, and I nod in agreement.
“Yeah, feels like death lives here. But there’s also a pull.” I look at Lily with growing concern, furrowing my brow as I try to identify the strange sensation tugging at something deep inside me. “Do you feel it?”
“Maybe it’s your mate?” Lily sounds suddenly chipper, her mood shift throwing me off balance.
I glance over at Corvis, and he shrugs his shoulders with characteristic acceptance. “If it is, it is. It’s Raven’s choice, not mine.” He kisses my cheek tenderly, his lips warm and reassuring.
“I knew you were a good male,” Mom says with approval as she catches the tail end of our conversation.
“Number twelve,” a male voice calls out from somewhere ahead, and my scales prickle with sudden alertness. The voice carries an otherworldly quality that makes my dragon stir restlessly.
“I’ve never heard that voice before,” I say, and suddenly the pull I was feeling is severed like a cut rope.
